Kitamaat Village, B.C. – Members of the Haisla First Nation have voted strongly in favour of a lease agreement that will play a key role in the development of a multi-billion dollar development.

Members voted 354 to 25 in favour of a lease agreement that will allow reserve land to be used for the construction and operation of the proposed $3 billion Kitimat LNG terminal. The project will allow the province to export natural gas to overseas market by tanker.

Chief Councillor Dolores Pollard says she’s extremely pleased with the strong vote in favour of the land lease agreement which she says will mean a brighter future for the community.

“We expect to formally sign the lease within the next few weeks, and we look forward to the go-ahead for the project from the proponents.”

Pollard says the terms of the 49-year lease will provide annual payments and property taxes to the Haisla.

Tim Wall, President of Apache Canada and one of the Kitimat LNG Terminal partners, says the vote is a significant step forward.